The 31-year-old first thought about crossing the channel as a member of the GWU swim team. She has trained since 2012 to tackle a feat accomplished by 1,619 people, according to the Channel Swimming and Piloting Federation. She completed the swim in 12 hours, 13 minutes, 53 seconds. Roka was the fifth-fastest swimmer of 29 successful crossings this year.

“In the months and weeks leading up to the swim, I have felt beyond blessed as I prepare,” Roka said.

She has an ideal job as a traveling physical therapist and randomly met two channel experts. Marcy MacDonald, who lives 10 miles from her, has completed the channel swim a record 15 times.

“MacDonald helped with my training, has provided unending support, and then has helped to guide and reassure me while in England," Roka said. "I have been so overwhelmed and blessed by the huge amount of support from so many of my GWU classmates and friends.”

Gardner-Webb swim coach Mike Simpson is not surprised Roka has now reached her goal to swim the channel.

“Heather has always been a tough cookie,” he said. “She is tough physically. She is tougher mentally. Heather has always had an incredible work ethic.”

For the English Channel swim, Roka’s toughest challenges were the cold water and swimming about five hours in the dark. Her crew — her sister, Lyndsey; her friend, Isabel (both GWU swimmers); and Isabel’s husband, Dean — gave her warm soup and drinks. To maintain her mental focus, she thought about her patients: teens with spinal cord injuries, adults recovering from strokes and a 70-year-old amputee.

“All of these people have undergone a traumatic situation that has forever changed their life, and yet it is inspiring how many embrace all the challenges I can throw at them,” Roka said. “They work so hard, pushing past sweat, tears, frustration and pain. Without saying anything, these people encourage me to do more and try harder things because no matter what challenge I take on, they are working even harder.”

Roka said swimming at GWU taught her the basics, like pacing and focusing on techniques, but also instilled something more.

“The team taught me how to learn to love a challenge, and the wonderful lifetime friendships formed during hours of training, bus rides and meets still impact my life on a daily basis,” she said. “The only reason I am even attempting this swim is because of the love of swimming and all the positive memories. Upon graduation, I found myself unable to walk away from the swimming world. No words will ever describe how grateful I am that Coach Simpson decided I could be a valuable part of the GWU team and family.”